Page 34 of Kentrell

That grin she gave me? It was everything—bright, a little smug, laced with something sweeter underneath. But her gaze didn’t stay on me long. It dipped to the Café Vervé bags in my hands.

“You brought lunch?” she asked, damn near drooling as she stood up.

And just like that, I got the full view.

That dress was straight outtaClueless, hugging her in all the right places, showing just enough to leave shit to the imagination—but not much. The heels added to it, legs long and smooth, skin glowing. She looked like some kind of bougie-ass Malibu Barbie that ain’t belong in a law office. I knew the whole damn lobby stopped to watch her when she came in. Hell, I was still watching her.

“You put this shit on for me?” I asked, ignoring her question altogether.

She shook her head—quick, like she meant it—but her eyes gave her away. That flicker in those hazel depths told the real story.

She wanted me to notice. And I did. Every inch.

“Is this how you always behave—crass and arrogant?” she asked, giving me the once-over like she was trying to convince herself I wasn’t worth the headache.

I shrugged. “Pretty much.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Then might we establish some ground rules during your time in my office?”

Another question. Another shrug.

“Depends on what they are.”

“Oh, really?” She sounded like she hadn’t expected that answer—and maybe she hadn’t expected me to stay cool underpressure either. She circled her desk like she was in control, but the second we were standing toe to toe, her energy shifted. Fast.

I watched her arms fold across her chest, like maybe that would guard her from whatever this was building between us. It wouldn’t.

She swallowed hard.

I didn’t blink.

“Yeah—I'm not changing the way I talk or how I feel,” I said flat, watching her eyebrow arch like she was waiting for me to play nice.

“And you feel as though I wore this dress solely for your benefit?” she asked, stepping closer like she wanted to challenge me.

I didn’t back up. I moved right with her.

“I know you did,” I said, jaw tight, chest rising with each breath I pulled in. Her scent was all over me now, light but heady. “’Cause if I walk outside and ask anybody down that hall how you usually dress, I bet money they gon’ say this ain’t you.”

Her slanted eyes widened.

I grinned.

“So you might as well quit lying, Zoe.”

She tried to hold it, but the laugh broke through, spilling out in warm little waves that filled the room.

“We already off to a bad start,” I muttered, kissing my teeth like I was disappointed in her, which only made her laugh harder.

And I didn’t stop her.

I liked that sound.

“I’m a lawyer—we lie. So sue me.” She brushed it off with a shrug.

I shook my head slow, once. “What?”

“You don’t lie to me.”

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